Pathum Nissanka’s Unbeaten 98* – Sri Lanka Crush Zimbabwe by 9 Wickets in Hilarious T20I Rout!
Pathum Nissanka: 98* off 58 (11 fours, 4 sixes)
Chasing 147 in 16.2 overs – like it was a net session!
Zimbabwe bowlers: “We came to bowl, not to be hit for sixes!”
Sri Lanka 148/1 (16.2 overs)
Pathum Nissanka 98* | Kamil Mishara 12
Result: SL won by 9 wickets (21 balls remaining)
In a match that had more laughs than a comedy reel, Sri Lanka chased down Zimbabwe’s 147 with absurd ease, winning by 9 wickets and 21 balls to spare. The hero? Pathum Nissanka, who treated the bowling attack like piñatas at a kids’ party – smashing 98* off just 58 balls with 11 fours and 4 massive sixes!
Pathum Nissanka – The Rawalpindi Roadroller!
Picture this: Zimbabwe post 146/5, thinking they’ve set a defendable total. Enter Pathum Nissanka, who decided “defendable” meant “free hitting practice.” The opener flayed the attack with:
- 11 boundaries that had fielders running like headless chickens
- 4 sixes that cleared the ropes like they offended him
- A strike rate of 169 – because why run when you can launch?
– Commentator after the 7th six
His partner Kamil Mishara fell for 12, but Kusal Mendis (25*) played second fiddle to perfection. Sri Lanka needed 89 off the last 10 overs? They got it in 5.2 – with Pathum doing a moonwalk back to the pavilion.
Zimbabwe’s Bowling – A Comedy of Errors
Poor Zimbabwe. They bowled like they were auditioning for a slapstick routine:
- Richard Ngarava: 3.2-0-44-0 (13.20 economy – ouch!)
- Tinotenda Maposa: 2-0-29-0 (14.50 – double ouch!)
- Brad Evans: 4-0-36-1 (9.00 – the only one who escaped with dignity)
Sikandar Raza (0/17) tried valiantly, but even he couldn’t stop Pathum’s rampage. It was like watching a kid with a new bat in the backyard – except the kid was a pro and the bowlers were the unfortunate trees!
Zimbabwe’s Batting – A Tale of Two Innings
Zimbabwe started decently at 44/0 after 6 overs, but then it all went pear-shaped:
- Brian Bennett: 34 (26) – hit wicket b Hasaranga (comedy gold!)
- Sikandar Raza: 37 (29) – caught at deep midwicket
- Ryan Burl: 37* (26) – the lone warrior who fought till the end
Extras: 8 (2 wides from Maposa alone – oops!)
Funny Moments That Had Us Chuckling
This match wasn’t just a win – it was a giggle fest:
- Bennett’s hit wicket: Tripped over his own feet while celebrating a boundary!
- Nissanka’s 6th four: Bowler Ngarava’s dive turned into a somersault – pure slapstick!
- Raza’s desperate dive: Saved a certain six, but landed in the drinks cooler!
- Maposa’s wide: So wide, the umpire checked if it was a full toss to the next ground!
What It Means for the Tri-Series
Sri Lanka’s first win puts them back in contention for the final spot. Pakistan are already through, so this was a must-win for the Lankans.
- SL: 1 win, chasing final berth
- ZIM: 1 win, now under pressure
Man of the Match – Pathum Nissanka (Obviously!)
“He didn’t play cricket – he played whack-a-mole with the bowlers!”
Pathum’s knock wasn’t just dominant – it was a masterclass in bullying attacks on flat tracks. If this is a sign of things to come, Sri Lanka might just sneak into that final after all!
What was your favorite moment from this laugh riot? Pathum’s helicopter shot or Bennett’s tumble? Share below! 😂🏏
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI Future: BCCI VP Rajiv Shukla Slams Farewell Rumors
About the Author
